BNCA Meeting Minutes
May 16, 2023
Zoom Virtual Meeting
Officers in attendance – President Kathy Jacquart, Member-at-Large Fred Jackson, Membership Director Rene McCray, Communications Director Elise Scott, Treasurer Joe Miller
Welcome, announcement – Kathy Jacquart
- The BNCA is “adopting” the garden around the Brookland sign at 12th and RI Ave. We have weeded, dug up invasive species, and trimmed trees around the sign and plan to plant native plants.
Treasurer’s Report – Joe Miller
- Beginning balance: $6107.04, ending balance: $5703.04
- Expenses: federation dues, web services, PO box renewal
- Upcoming expenses: gardening supplies for 12th and RI Ave Brookland sign garden, new kiosk at 12th and Newton
- Treasurer’s report approved
MPD update – Sergeant Keith Byrd, 5th district (keith.byrd@dc.gov)
- Crime in Brookland area is up 14% over past 30 days, including:
- Motor vehicle theft – car and property, which is a citywide problem; Honda-Kia challenge increasing the problem; Can get free plug to put on steering wheel lock from MPD. Expecting an increase in thefts of Dodge/Chrysler cars (SUV/sportscar) due to new “hack.” If your car is stolen, you should get it re-keyed immediately
- 4 burglaries
- Armed robbery/sex assault occurred Sunday night, 5/14 at 13th and Girard
- Live camera burglary alarms are a huge benefit. Mayor may make camera program more robust. Police would have access to footage but not camera
- Call 911 if you see a crime or aftermath of a crime (not 311).
Public safety and crime prevention conversation
Ideas about what can neighbors do:
- Share information amongst each other (e.g., Facebook, Next Door, io group, WhatsApp group)
- Buy/install cameras (e.g., Vivint Security System, Ring, Nest)
- Don’t try to take police action
- See something, say something
Oliver Stoute from Council member Parker’s office (ostoute@dccouncil.gov) shared:
- Council member held a community meeting in Brookland. Discussed:
- Working with other agencies to create Block captains
- Brookland doesn’t have violence interrupters in neighborhood but can make connections to help with conflict resolution if necessary
Proposed map amendment to rezone the property at 3250 9th St NE from PDR-1 (permit moderate-density commercial and PDR activities) to MU-7A (permit medium-density mixed-use development). This building consists of six floors, and is subject to the Inclusionary zoning set-aside requirements of 11-C DCMR 1003. Ty Simpson from Spectrum Management and others made a presentation and answers questions about the proposal.
- Spectrum Management bought the property in 2018. Planned to build an office for their company. Applied for govt subsidized loan but found building restriction line. Had it removed but then Covid hit. Scrapped plans for the office and decided to build apartments/condos.
- Filed a MAP amendment – to change commercial (PDR-1) to residential (MU 7A) up to 65 ft height (parking + 5 stories)
- 1st floor (14 ft) will be parking because of sewer line; 8 parking spaces; 5 3-bedroom units; one will be affordable (workforce) housing
- Will probably have a green roof
Member comments:
- Laura Worby – delighted to see 3-bedroom units and workforce housing
- Dan Schramm – support the project
- Kathy Jacquart – like the design, especially the balconies
- BNCA will provide a letter acknowledging the presentation
Community Announcements
- US Attorney’s Office, Magdalena Acevedo (Magdalena.Acevedo@usdoj.gov)
- Trial date set in March/April 2024 for accused shooter of Karon Blake
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